After our guests left and while the schools were on holiday we decided to learn Chitumbuka, the local language. Unfortunately there are no books available in Chitumbuka because years ago the president declared Chichewa to be the national language therefore the language to be taught in schools as well as English. All the Chitumbuka books were tossed out. Many people here still speak Chitumbuka or a version of it. However, we have been finding it difficult to pick up because you need to tune into the speaker.
In town we noticed a place by chance offering lessons in Chitumbuka so we booked in for 4 weeks which we later extended to 6 weeks. We attended the place 4 mornings per week. Lessons were enjoyable but not always easy. We were even given homework!!
We particularly enjoyed going to Mr Ngwira's (our teacher) home to meet his father who is 96 years old and a former judge. Our task was to prepare questions to ask him in Chitumbuka. We had a very interesting morning and we learned a lot. Mr Ngwira's wife had made a nice African cake for us to taste.
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| Mr Ngwira, our teacher (right) and his father. |
Our second teacher, Mr Nyirenda took us to the local hardware market which was fun. Once again we had to practise our language by bartering for a few goods. We successfully managed to purchase a plunger for the shower and a wheel spanner for the car which we have just bought. In addition we managed to purchase a few envelopes.
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Mr Nyirenda, our teacher in class
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The shop at the hardware market.
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| Our purchases |
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